Brisbane's love affair with dumplings is only getting stronger if the queue at the newly opened Happy Little Dumplings in James Street on Friday is a sign.
Just two days old, the shop was selling out of it's most popular lines by about 1pm but there was still plenty from which to choose. You'll find the James Street store next to Jules & Roc (for shoe addicts) at number 65. That's one block towards the river from the cinema.
Happy Little Dumplings was first born on the south side in Oxford Street as dumpling addicts Candice (that's Candice above) and Melitta took their dumpling style to the world. They did their time in markets before opening the store and hand make everything including their fusion dumplings based on Candice's Thai/Chinese background.
The Bulimba store is open seven days, currently 10.30- 4pm Monday to Friday and 10-2pm Saturday and Sunday. The Fortitude Valley store is also open seven days a week.
We sampled widely from the menu including the famous mango pancake. I just missed grabbing a black sticky rice pudding from the cold cabinet - drat!
Here's a sample of the dumplings you'll find - prawn har gow (plump prawns and a hint of bamboo), pork shu-mai (pork, shallots,carrot, mushroom and water chestnut), chilli chicken, chinese chilli duck and pork belly and bok choy. There are also vegetarian dumplings, steamed buns and salads.
The rice paper rolls we ate were one of the day's specials and we went back for more to take home for dinner but they were sold out. The sauce that goes with them is a knock out combo of coconut and pineapple with a secret ingredient.
There's a reasonable amount of seating here but it's all very casual.
The mango pancake, a thin pancake filled with cream and mango, was definitely worth a try.
Bottom line: Great addition to James Street, put it on your must try list.
Best tip: Get there early and buy extra to take home.
Happy Little Dumplings